Kids Outerwear Tips

When preparing the kids for a fun day of skiing, snowboarding or just playing outside in the chilly weather it is important to keep the kids warm and comfortable. An uncomfortable winter outfit makes for a cranky and irate kid.

Just think, if your kids’ only jacket is a fluffy snow jacket that was meant for below freezing temperatures and you kid just wants to go outside and play in the puddles after a first rain, that bulky jacket is going to be too warm and restricting.

Here are some tips on how to keep your kids warm and comfortable for the different temperatures.

Layering for the Rain

• Light cotton undershirt
• Leggings or legwarmers
• Cotton socks (and one extra pair if those get wet)
• Thermal jacket
• Short jacket or a longer coat with weather-proof coating on the exterior

The key here is to use light breathable cotton that will allow some of the body heat to escape for nice ventilation. Remembering the thermal jacket is important so when kids go inside, they have a nice dry sweater to keep them warm while the rain jacket hangs dry.

Layering for the Snow

• Thermal undershirt
• Thermal pants
• Wool socks
• Thermal jacket
• Snow jacket with a fleece lining

The key for snow is to use thick cotton clothing and wool. This way the cotton will allow your body to breath when the kids play in the snow, while the wool keeps the feet warm when it’s most susceptible to the chill.

There are many types and brands of jackets and coats available for kids. With such a wide selection it is difficult to figure out what type of jacket to buy your kid. Here is a quick and easy shopping guide that will help you pick the best jacket or coat your child.

Depending on the vacation or the weather where you live here are the top features to look for in these different types of kids jackets.

Kids Rain Coats:

• Lightweight material is meant to protect the ears, neck, arms and core of the body from getting wet and blocking the chilly breeze. Always wear a kids thermal jacket underneath for warmth.
• Drawstring hood with visor is meant to protect the hair, ears, neck and eyes from the dripping rain.
• Covered pockets are necessary to keep the water from rolling down the jacket and collecting the pockets.

Kids Snow Jackets:

• Waterproof outer shell that keeps falling snow from melting into the jacket.
• Soft inner lining with at least one inner pocket for money or a cell phone.
• Visor on the hood keeps falling snow and the bright sun out of your kids eyes.
• Closure cuffs with elastic or velcro that can keep the snow and the chill out.
• Inner storm flap keeps kids protected from anything seeping through the zipper.
• Zipper closure outer pockets keep snow from collecting in the pockets.
• Drawcord waist is a fantastic feature that keeps snow from getting up the back.
• Snot strip are built-in soft felt strip located near the top of the zipper where the hood starts. When the kids can’t get to a clean tissue, they use this snot strip, instead of their dirty hands, to wipe their nose dry.

Budget All-Weather Kids Coats:

• Waterproof outer shell makes it protected when it rains and keeps snow from melting through.
• Breathable inner layer redirects the body heat to keep the outer shell warm and dry from the inside.
• Other features to look for are lightweight materials, soft inner lining, hood with visor, and the necessary closure cuffs.

When shopping for kids jackets and coats, keep visibility in mind. Stay in the bright colors of the yellows, oranges and reds.

When your children grow so quickly and need a new jacket every year it is really tempting to pass the oldest kids’ jacket down to the next youngest. But how do you know if your child is really getting the right warmth and protection out of a second hand jacket?

The tip is to do the pinch test. Completely button and zip up the jacket and pinch the material close to the waist. The amount of inches will tell you if the jacket is a good fit or not.

Here are a few types of coats and jackets that and how they are supposed to fit on your child for the optimal protection.

• The North Face Denali Thermal Jacket is meant to be worn as a layer. First the undershirt or thermal, then the tee shirt or long sleeve shirt, then this North Face jacket, then the raincoat or snow jacket. That means it needs to fit like a sweater with not a lot of extra room and pinch only 1 inch off the waist.
• Classic Pea Coat are a fun and fashionable children’s outerwear. Since this coat is meant to be warn over a sweater or thermal jacket, the coat should be a bit loose. When fully buttoned and pinched at the waist closer to the body, there should be about 2 inches of extra room for all the layers.
• roxy snow jackets are made to be durable, warm, protective and flexible at the same time. With all the layers underneath and necessity for mobility it is okay for these jackets to fit loosely. Doing the pinch test, there should be an extra 2-4 inches.

Here is a variety of raingear for toddlers through school-aged kids. Pick and choose what you think your kids will need the most or get all of them to be fully prepared.

• Rain Boots - Galoshes or rain boots are a must for those rainy and snowy trips to the market or visiting the grandparents. The important thing to remember when buying galoshes is if they are the unlined rubber ones, that your toddler must wear the shoes when trying them on. This way feet stay safe and warm while being protected by the boots.
• Rain Shoes – There are also special rain and snow shoes that act as a shoe but protect your child’s feet like a rain boot. These shoes have rubber or flexible plastic soles, sides and part of the uppers; the other part of the uppers usually has soft leather for lacing and to keep the water from getting inside the shoes. Usually the shoes are lined with a real or synthetic sheep fur to keep the feet warm.
• Rain Coats – Many people underestimate the importance of rain coats for kids. Some kids have no problem staying under the umbrella, but as soon as something shiny catches their eye, they quickly get lured into the rain. Some important features to look for in rain coats are the drawstring hood, zippable outer pockets, elastic or Velcro wrist cuffs and the oversized hood that keeps rain away from the eyes.
• Rain Pants - Now your kids can be protected when the winds push the rain underneath their umbrella and puddles seem so tempting to splash. Rain pants, or kids ski pants, are made to be worn on top of regular clothes when the kids are ready to venture outside and still want dry clothes underneath when they come back inside.
• Bright Colors - The most important tip to remember when choosing kids rain gear is visibility! Keep your kids safe and let them pick bright colored jackets and umbrellas. When drivers rely on bright lights to guide them on a rain fall, brightly colored umbrellas will surely keep the driver aware.

Sometimes babies just look so cute bundled up in warm winter outerwear. With their tiny mittens and cute little rain boots babies in winter resemble stuffed animals all too much. If you are looking for wacky or cute winter hats to keep your baby’s head warm, here are some of the top hats out there.

• Pom-Pom Hat – In every child’s lifetime that had to have worn a winter hat with a giant pom-pom on top. Something about a fluffy yarn pom-pom says ultra cute and cuddly.
• Stocking Hat – These 50’s styled hats are made extra long to look like baby is wearing a warm knitted winter stocking on her head. Extra cute plus keeps baby occupied at the same time.
• Ear flap Hats – Multifunctional is the best word for parents when it comes to clothing. Baby hats with side flaps that cover their ears protect them from the uncomfortable wind, rain and snow at the same time the head is kept warm.
• Winter Hat and Mitten set – For the ultimate cute baby, get a matching winter hat and mitten set. Baby (as well as children’s) mittens usually come with a long yarn connecting the two mittens together so baby can’t accidentally drop one and mess up the whole ensemble.

Babies are just so small and oblivious to the effects of the chilly elements. That makes it our job to make sure baby is comfortable and warm when they travels to Grandma’s house or to the market with you.

With so many things to remember when leaving the house, it would be nice to have some warm outfit to rely on all the time. Luckily, the art of baby bunting has stayed with us throughout the years as the quickest and easiest way to way to protect baby from the harsh winter weather. Today baby buntings are sold in stores and online by the age of the baby.

Legged or Sack Bunting – Parents have two styles of baby bunting to choose from; legged or sack bunting. Legged bunting has individual leg sleeves that have an additional flip over bootie covers that protect the legs and the feet from the cold. The sack bunting is the easiest type of bunting to get a squirming baby into because there is a sack like area that offers baby’s legs so much room to move around.

Materials – Infant bunting is so popular that there are a wide variety of materials to pick from. Weather you want to take baby out in cool weather or snowy weather there are specially made materials like down, cotton, and water-resistant finishes to look for.

If your winters are cold or near freezing point, you need to know how to bundle up your toddler for exploring the outdoors in the wintertime.

Many people think that kids can catch colds from playing in the cold, but that is just a myth. In fact, kids can catch colds by touching items, like doorknobs, that has germs from the person before with dirty hands. So it might be helpful to get your toddler a pair of mittens or gloves when they go outside and play. Keeping the fingers warm and protected from germs is a double duty winter must have.

Sometimes we just don’t have the time to get the correct winter wear in time. So one of the best tips on keeping your toddler warm while trying to use what you already have is to practice sufficient layering. Have them put on their:

• Underwear
• A pair of thermals
• Shirt and pants
• 2 pairs of socks
• A sweater or two
• A scarf or a neck gator
• And finally the jacket

As a parent, be prepared for the worst, and bring extra clothes just in case any of these layers get soiled. Remember, no toddler is going to have a fun time with wet clothes when it’s cold out.

Playing outdoors on the playground and getting dirty is a right of passage for all children growing up. Whether they’re playing tag on the grass, falling from the playground on tanbark, or jumping around to a game of hopscotch on the cement, kids need sufficient outerwear to keep them warm during a recess in the winter season. The last thing parents want is for their kids to catch a cold or a chill, so be sure to follow these tips to help you select the perfect jacket for your child.

• If you live in an area that experiences heavy snowfall, consider a marmot yukon classic parka or girl’s parka to ensure that the rain slips right off your child’s jacket, versus being absorbed.
• For children, it’s important to keep colors in mind. Girls prefer outerwear in bright colors like pink and purple. Darker colors would be more ideal for boys, such as black, blue, and red.
• For areas that experience snow, kids ski pants would be the perfect complement to a parka or snowboard jacket. Keep the upper and lower body covered for absolute warmth.
• For windy conditions, a cool kids jackets should do the trick. This is especially convenient if your child is very active because its lightweight construction will help maintain maneuverability and will not weigh your child down.

Many people say that babies are not supposed to be taken outside because their immunity is low and they are more vulnerable to illness. This myth has some factuality to it, but it is mostly based around the fact that baby must be properly clothed and sheltered from the severe elements of the outdoors.

It is true that babies have not built up the antibodies that fight off simple viruses and illnesses so it is most important to bundle up your baby when you bring them outside.

• When it’s wet, windy and cold, be sure to keep the head and ears warm with a hat or a baby bonnet.
• Protect their eyes from the sun’s extra bright reflection by covering their eyes with your body or hand, a blanket draped over a visor, or even some baby sunglasses.
• Make sure their feet and hands are always covered. People tend to touch these areas and could contaminate your baby. So protect them from the cold and future illness.
• Always check that she’s well bundled. Babies can get fussy and squirm, so make sure her blanket, pant legs, shirts, shoes and mittens are still properly situated because she won’t tell you!
• Bring extra clothing and blankets. Baby’s can get messy at times and a happy baby is a dry and warm baby.

There are actually baby clothing that keeps all of these factors in mind when keeping baby warm and that is infant bunting. Baby bunting are full body suits the cover the hands, feet and ears to only expose the cute baby face.

With the different types of transportation, many kids no longer have to bundle up for the long walk to school - in the snow uphill both ways and barefoot as our grandparents did. (Or at least said they did) Now kids go from the warm house, to the heated car, right into the warm classroom.

After being inside all of the time, kids want to go outside and play during recess. So make sure your kids are properly bundled for those fun recess breaks. Here are some tips on how you can your kid can be prepared for the day’s weather while at school.

• Check the Weather – As simple as this sounds, knowing the weather for the day can take much of the guess work out of bundling the kids for school. You’ll know if the kids should wear their rain boots over their shoes or put on the deep tred snow shoes for those snow and slush days.
• Bundle in Layers – Sometimes kids forget to put on their coat or stand under a dripping ledge without realizing their top layer of clothes has become wet. No fear, they can take off that layer and hang it to dry while in class.
• Accessories – Prepare your kid with the accessories they can use with their layers. A scarf, umbrella, gloves, and a pocket of tissues and a small hand sanitizer are the perfect accessories to keep your kids warm and protect while at school.
• Pack Something Warm – Kids love warm items when it’s cold out. Pack your kids some warm chicken noodle soup in a heat retaining thermos. Or get some packets of hand warmers that you kids can put in their pockets, sweater hoods, inside their shoe, and of course in their gloves.

Being such a hugely popular winter sport, annual skiing events are no longer restricted to being an adults-only sport. With more and more families opting for family ski vacations and kids taking to skiing as early as four to five years of age, buying specialized ski clothing for kids is not an option for parents but a great necessity.

While markets are flooded with various types of kids ski clothes, going for waterproof and wind resistant ski jackets are the best option for parents. Normally such jackets come with three-layered clothing for optimal protection, warmth and dryness. Outer layer – windproof and waterproof construction, insulated middle layer made of fleece or synthetic fabric and a base layer. This type of jacket is also perfectly suited for kids who are particularly sensitive towards cold.

While buying kids ski jackets, it is important that you consider the type and quality of fabric you choose. The better ones usually have tightly woven breathable nylon fabric and under-arm ventilation for ultimate comfort. Many ski jackets also come well-padded for optimal safety against cuts, chafing or scrapes.

For those who take their infants to colder climates, it is really important that the infants are sufficiently bundled up in comfortable attire. For such occasions, an junior ski jacket could be one of the best and warmest options. While selecting infant snowsuit, opt for one that is made of natural fabrics for enhanced breathability and comfort.